Farm Days a marketing and educational success

Federated Farmers Farm Days are a huge success
in education and tourism. The Federation’s Bay of Plenty
province saw 980 people come through the farm gate on Sunday
to see what farming is all about.

“Our Farm Day is a
great way for everyone to get involved in the region’s
rural community. This year was a particular success with 60
percent of the visitors having either never been on farm or
to a Farm Day before," said Rick Powdrell, Federated Farmers
Bay of Plenty provincial president.

“It is an
opportunity to get urban people out, especially the
children, to learn where their food comes from. Regardless
of what age the visitors were they said they all learnt
something.

“The day was diverse in what it had to offer,
from pony rides, sheep shearing, milking cows, farm
machinery to gumboot throwing; there was something for
everyone to enjoy. The event is always a hit within the
region, with 40 percent return visitors from previous
years.

“It was a great
chance to showcase rural New Zealand to tourists also. We
had people from Korea, Japan, Canada, Germany and California
trying their hand at milking and shearing.

“Overall
these Farm Days’ are a great way to engage rural New
Zealand with the rest of the country and the world. A $19
billion dollar industry opening its gates to anyone who
wants to learn more about it and have a bit of fun,”
concluded Mr
Powdrell.

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